Genesis 47:21 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 47:13-26

Care being taken of Jacob and his family, the preservation of which was especially designed by Providence in Joseph's advancement, an account is now given of the saving of the kingdom of Egypt too from ruin; for God is King of nations as well as King of saints, and provideth food for all flesh. Joseph now returns to the management of that great trust which Pharaoh had lodged in his hand. It would have been pleasing enough to him to have gone and lived with his father and brethren in Goshen;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 47:21

And as for the people, he removed them ,.... From the places where they dwelt, that it might appear they had no more property there, and might forget it, and be more willing to pay rent elsewhere; and their posterity hereafter could have no notion of its being theirs, or plead prescription; and besides, by such a removal and separation of the inhabitants of cities, some to one place, and some to another, sedition and mutiny might be prevented: he had them to cities, from one end of the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 47:21

And as for the people, he removed them to cities - It is very likely that Joseph was influenced by no political motive in removing the people to the cities, but merely by a motive of humanity and prudence. As the corn was laid up in the cities he found it more convenient to bring them to the place where they might be conveniently fed; each being within the reach of an easy distribution. Thus then the country which could afford no sustenance was abandoned for the time being, that the people... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 47:21

Verse 21 21.And as for the people, he removed them to cities. This removal was, indeed, severe; but if we reflect how much better it was to depart to another place; in order that they might be free cultivators of the land, than to be attached to the soil, and employed as slaves in servile work; no one will deny that this was a tolerable, and even a humane exercise of authority. Had each person cultivated his field, as he had been accustomed to do, the exaction of tribute would have seemed to be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 47:11-27

Joseph's policy in Egypt. I. TOWARDS THE ISRAELITES . 1. He gave them a settlement in Goshen . Though in one sense the land of Goshen was Pharaoh's grant, it is apparent from the story that they owed it chiefly to the wise and prudent management of Joseph that they found themselves located in the fattest corner of the land. In thus providing for them Joseph had without doubt an eye to their enrichment, to their separation as a people from the Egyptian inhabitants of the land,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 47:13-26

The policy of Joseph is faithfully employed for his monarch. The advantage taken of the people's necessities to increase the power of the throne is quite Eastern in its character—not commended to general imitation, but permitted to be carded out through Joseph, because it gave him greater hold upon the government, and perhaps wrought beneficially on the whole in that early period of civilization. The honor of the priesthood is a testimony to the sacredness which the Egyptians attached to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 47:21

And as for the people, he removed them —not enslaved them, converted them into serfs and bondmen to Pharaoh ( LXX ; Vulgate), but simply transferred them, caused them to pass over— to cities —not from cities to cities, as if changing their populations (Onkelos, Rosenmüller, Kalisch), but either from the country districts to the towns (Targums Jonathan and Jerusalem, Lange, Schumann, Gerlach, Murphy), or according to the cities, i.e. in which the grain had been previously collected... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 47:1-31

- Jacob in Goshen11. רעמסס ra‛mesês, Ra‘meses “son of the sun.”31. מטה mı̂ṭṭāh, “bed.” מטה maṭṭeh “staff.”Arrangements are now made for the settlement of Israel in Goshen. The administration of Joseph during the remaining years of the famine is then recorded. For the whole of this period his father and brothers are subject to him, as their political superior, according to the reading of his early dreams. We then approach to the death-bed of Jacob, and hear him binding Joseph by an oath to... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 47:21

Genesis 47:21. He removed them, &c. He transplanted them, to show Pharaoh’s sovereign power over them, and that they might, in time, forget their titles to their lands, and be the more easily reconciled to their new condition of servitude. How hard soever this seems to have been upon them, they themselves were sensible of it as a great kindness, and were thankful they were not worse used. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 47:13-26

Joseph’s economic policy (47:13-26)If Joseph had not planned wisely, the seven-year famine would have ruined Egypt and Canaan. He gave the people food in return for their money (13-15), then, when they had no money, in return for their animals (16-17), then, when they had no animals, in return for their land and even themselves (18-19). In the end all the land belonged to the government and everybody worked for the government, but in return Joseph gave the people land and seed for farming... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 47:13-26

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 47:21

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 47:21

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 47:21

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 47:11-27

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 47:13-26

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 47:21

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 47:1-31

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 47:21

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 47:13-26

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